Meanderings through all that makes life in a small town in Provence worth while...

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Oh my, goodness - part deux

Oh my goodness, I am so excited.

This will be a short post. I know, it is Halloween and many of you are most likely no where near your computers but rather are carving pumpkins, sneaking bonbons and crafting smoking cocktails, as you should be. Hopefully these slightly moody photos will fit the bill? But they actually are an antipode to what I am feeling...

...for today is a wonderful day - yes, yes, beyond the celebration of the spooky and unknown, which delights me to no end in itself - for you see, my friend Ellie is packing up the truck to leave Paris behind.

To be slightly more precise, her new home will be at only about a fifteen minute drive away from ours!

Now, I have spoken in the past about the aspect that having lasting friendships as an expat has been a challenge for me. I don't always gel well with my French counterparts and my fellow expatriates are often here for a few months and then gone for the rest of the year (which is doable but challenging). So, this arrival is something of a great gift, yes, full of the good stuff.

But honestly, this is not about me in the least. That is just the candy corn on the cake.

I think that quite a few of you read Ellie's wonderful blog, Have Some Decorum and I smile to see some of your names in the comments section. For those of you who don't know who she is, well, I invite you to go and find out. As I have mentioned before, she is a fellow American, my age, beautiful beyond belief and happens to be in her fifth year of having ALS, although it doesn't define her - if anything, she is in the process of redefining - or trying to - this terrible disease.

For at least a year now, Ellie has had it her head that she needs to move to Provence. Now, who doesn't want to live in Provence, you might ask but this was no simple proposal. Her French husbands work is based out of Paris (not exactly a shabby city in itself) and that is where her daughter goes to university. And yet she knew that for the best of her well-being that she had to live in the sun.

Sun is something that we have here in Provence in spades and frankly often goes missing in Paree for five months out of the year. But the South of France also offers the possibility to change pace, to slow down, to connect with history and be surrounded by nature of the pinch me variety every single day. To have a view.

All of this was brewing in her mind far before I met Ellie in person. Those of you that have been reading here for a while know the tale: my wonderful friend, La Contessa, sent me the money (in cash!) so that I could take the train up just before Ellie's birthday. She later admitted that she was doing this as much as for my own good as Ellie's. Seriously, that woman is a living Fairy Godmother. Our meeting was...beyond wonderful. It was one of those moments that touched me deeply and shifted my perspective radically.

So when Ellie first announced her serious intentions to move down here, I was on it. We both spent hours, days, trolling through all of the internet ads we could find, looking for possibilities. And there were several. But one after one, they never panned out, for whatever reason. It was incredibly disheartening yet Ellie never gave up. She was determined. Slowly, she convinced her husband and daughter. And then, just then, the perfect house turned up.

For me, the most amazing news is that it has an annex and so her caregivers are coming down with her. They are truly wonderful men who do so much and have so many talents. I admire them enormously. They will provide for a perfect transition and keep her "empire" expanding, right on schedule.

I wrote in an email the other day that Ellie will be the Queen of Provence in no time and I believe it. With her intelligence, vitality and verve - as well as her stellar taste in everything - who couldn't fall under her charm? Not to mention that the brocante dealers will need to be put on alert, as there is a new, ruthless buyer/seller in town. No details are left unturned by this phenomenal woman.

I feel really fortunate. But I also know deep in my heart that being here will help to only strengthen her truly indomitable spirit. I have wanted this so badly for her and now, it is happening.

If you are of the type to send out good thoughts or pray, would you join me in sending some to Ellie et al. so that the move goes swimmingly? I know it will but a little extra push would be lovely.

I can't wait to see what she will write on this new page in her life.

Brava, Ellie. Here is to moving forward. Don't worry about the freaky mushroom below, I have never seen one like it in Provence! Good times await, trust me.

Heather! I am so excited for you and Ellie!!! It will be wonderful for you two to have each other so close! Guess who I am 15 minutes away from AND am going to lunch with on Monday? La Contessa (Elizabeth!)!!! I am sending good warm sunshiny thoughts to Ellie from The Bay Area for a smooth move to Provence ... And happy thoughts to you both for all the fun you will have together! All the best for a lovely autumn, Shireen

Shireen! You are the pink napkin lady!! I didn't know! Oh, I am so happy that you have met the wonderful Elizabeth and are keeping in touch. I love that story...a friendship started over napkins. :)Hoping you have a great autumn too.

Heather, thank you so much for being working with Ellie on this move. When I read in Ellie's earlier post what you had done to help make Ellie's dream a reality, I was absolutely delighted...and felt so grateful to you and to La Contessa. I am very happy for both of you, for you are two brilliant, imaginative, strong people who should live close to each other in a sunny place! With every prayer and good wish for a smooth move for Ellie and her family, Leslie in Oregon

Little did I know that my MAGIC would make YOU friends for LIFE and NEIGHBORS!!!I am as THRILLED for ELLie as I AM for YOU!!!!I met Ellie for about two hours and I have NEVER met YOU RED HEAD BEAUTY, but somehow I know you TWO will be GOOD company for one another and have LOTS of LAUGHS.I have an extra copy of Eleanor's CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK which I have saved to send to YOU!Which I will do early like next week so you can get it STAMPED with her LIPS and start prepping as I would imagine the two of you will be spending some of the HOLIDAYS together..........from here on out!!!!I DO HOPE BUNNY and REMI get on!!!!!!!!!!!!!If not it will be a GIRLS AFFAIR of brocantes, and lunches and poolside chats to FIX the WORLD!I truly am SO HAPPY for YOU TWO...............SAFE TRAVELS ELLIE..........YOUR WORLD AWAITS YOU In the LAND of the SUNFLOWERS and LAVENDER.XOXOXO

I MET LA CONTESSA WITH OUR BLOGS...AND THROUGH HER AUNTIE WHO LIVED IN (MY FAVORITE HOUSE ON EARTH I HAVE EVER SEEN ANYWHERE!!)

YOU THINK I AM EXAGGERATING? NOOO!!!! "CONSTANTIA" IN MONTECITO. IT IS MY FAVORITE HOUSE ON THIS EARTH! (AND MY HUSBAND HAS TAKEN ME LOVELY PLACES ALL OVER THE WORLD TO SEE BEAUTIFUL HOUSES!)

THAT IS HOW WE MET!!

I MET ELLIE WHEN SHE WAS CLOSING HER STORE.....(MY FAVORITE STORE ON THE PLANET ALSO....YOU THINK I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME! HA!! NO!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE SOULMATES! SHE IS ALSO MARRIED TO AN ITALIAN! (MINE HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES....BUT NOT THE ACCENT.....HE IS THIRD GENERATION AMERICAN!) HIS GRANDFATHER EMIGRATED I N 1890! BUT HE HAS ALL THE ATTRIBUTES!

(IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANY; OR IF YOU AREN'T MARRIED TO ONE...POOR DEAR...I CANNOT EXPLAIN!!)STEPHEN....HAVE YOU BAG PACKED!!!!

What is amazing to me is that in this huge, huge world so many of us are connected. I found Brooke who "introduced" me to Penelope (on the phone at least!) but I was already in contact with Elizabeth, who is now friends with Penelope and because of her we both met Ellie, who is now living here and because of Ellie, we are all crazy for Stephen! Whew! It makes me dizzy a little bit just to think about it! But oh so happy...

Having a good friend nearby is worth both friends' weight in gold! I feel like I'm getting a new friend, just reading how excited you are - it's going to be glorious for both of you! Good thoughts are zinging along to both of you, for a smooth move, and a great transition to a new home for Ellie and her family.

This can only be the best move for Ellie. I am sure she will be happy to have a good friend like you close by, and Provence will be the better for having the lovely, talented Ellie in its midst. XOXO, Victoria

Stunning photos Heather - so much light and depth, all like paintings, beautifully composed.Wonderful news about Ellie moving to Provence, air and light is so important for health, we have plenty of it here in Australia ... Have followed both your blogs for so long, it feels like hearing about old friends so the news is uplifting.Serendipity .... who knows what is possible, the universe is so clever when you make a wish, it does what it can to make it happen.

Heather this will be so wonderful for both you and Ellie! Your friendship will grow even stronger and she will have your help right there in person to get her through some of the rough times. Ahhhh Provence!!

IT's SUNDAY and SHE has ARRIVED IN PROVENCE I see on INSTAGRAM!!!!!!!HEATHER are YOU PINCHING YOURSELF????YES< DEAR STEPHEN I will GET DRUGS to HELP YOU my favorite is ADVIL PM which they doNOT make anymore??!!!WHY???But with a small bottle of wine and your TWO Pills and your neck pillow and your EYE SHADES I will have you sleeping for HOURS ON THAT AIRPLANE!!!!!NO WORRIES...........YOU CAN DO THIS!XX

I read on Ellie's blog that she was moving to Provence, wonderful news. The sun is a healer in so many ways. I too am moving to Provence shortly, from the Languedoc, and hope to meet both Ellie and Heather in person. Well done, both of you.bonnie

ANOTHER BUDDY!BONNIE I assume you are an American?Where do you HAIL from?Then there is simple images2 who will be ANOTHER FRIEND!LOOK what is happening!YOU TWO ARE MAKING A VILLAGE!!!!!!!!!I am SO excited for ALL of YOU!!!!I have GOT to get into this ACTION..........will start in on THAT ITALIAN to prepare HIM.I want to visit ALL these people TOO!!!!XO

Bonnie, I can't wait for us to meet! And I am so excited that you are moving sooner than I had remembered. I can't wait. And yes, we both know what a healer the sun is. I have the windows open right now! I bet you do too.

Elizabeth, get on over here! I can't wait until spring!!!

And Pat...isn't it true? I just can't get over it sometimes. It truly is such an incredible gift.

Oh, how exciting. Provence will never be the same. What a gift for both of you. Friendship, sun, brocantes, lunches, dinner. I'm beyond thrilled, I know what a diference a good friend makes. My BFF La Contessa has so enriched my life and brought me so much joy! You're right Elizabeth is La Contessa, Auntie Mame, Perle Mesta and the Pied Piper all rolled into one! Her heart is filled with such generosity of spirit! Thrilled for all of you!Sandra Sallin www.apartfrommyart.com

Yes! Elizabeth is one of the most generous people that I have ever met and I am thrilled to have her for such a true and loyal friend. AND she told me what birthday you have coming up and I couldn't believe it!!! I would have thought ten years less! Maybe as it is such an important one, you and E need to celebrate...with a trip to France? xoxo

Provence will do its magic! Wasn't it what you said to me this september? Provence will do its magic to Ellie.Because there are things that even a City like Paris cannot provide:

There is that special light that you only find in the south of France.There is the wide sky.There is the green of the countryside.There is the sound of the breeze in the trees.And the smell of the woods and the lavender.

Some of those things one needs to feel a certain relief and to fill the heart with joy.

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About Me

Heather Robinson earned a MFA from Yale and was a professional actress in New York before moving to France where she collaborated with National Geographic photographer Rémi Bénali as a photographer/writer team covering tribes, traditions and World Heritage Sites in some of the world's most far-flung places. Heather has been a regular contributor to Grands Reportages magazine in France where her work has also been published in Figaro Magazine, Hotel & Lodge, Le Pèlerin and Le Monde des Religions. Her writing has also been seen in numerous magazines in Europe, Africa, Asia, South-East Asia and Russia. Her photography has been published in I-Heart magazine in France as well as Architectural Digest in the US. After 16 years of living in France, she is currently discovering what life in Provence is like on her own, always with an eye on beauty in all its forms as her inspiration.

Walk With Me

Discovering Arles was what the French call a "coup de coeur" or "love at first sight." I would be delighted to share with you its complex mesh of history, vitality and quality of life. I am currently offering a three hour walk through "Le Centre Historique" for small groups of up to six people. Please feel free to contact me at robinsonheather (at) yahoo.com for further details.